Ferrari tweak 2011 car's name

Ferrari's 2011 challenger has once again undergone a name change so that even the "thickest of people" don't mistake it for a Ford

Ferrari initially named their 2011 car the F150 but in the wake of legal action by Ford, who have a popular truck called the F-150, the Scuderia changed the car's name to the F150th Italia.

And although on Friday it was confirmed that Ford had dropped their legal action against Ferrari, the Italian outfit has still opted to tweak the name of the car in order to avoid confusion.

"It might seem like a Kafkaesque scenario, but the affair relating to the name of the car with which Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa will tackle this year's Formula 1 World Championship saw its final and decisive episode played out these past few days with the concomitant withdrawal by Ford of the summons. Therefore common sense has prevailed," Ferrari wrote in the 'Horse Whisperer' column.

"In order to avoid the slightest risk of anyone confusing a Formula 1 car with a pick-up truck, for their part, the men from Maranello have decided that the car will lose the F that precedes the number 150 and which stands for Ferrari, as it has done on numerous occasions when it's come to giving a car a code name, be it for the race track or the road.

"It appears that this could have caused so much confusion in the minds of the consumer across the Pond that, at the same time as losing the F, the name will be completely Italianised, replacing the English "th" with the equivalent Italian symbol.

"Therefore the name will now read as the Ferrari 150° Italia, which should make it clear even to the thickest of people that the name of the car is a tribute to the anniversary of the unification of our country. Let's hope the matter is now definitely closed and that we can concentrate on more serious matters, namely ensuring that our car that already seems to be pretty good out of the box, becomes a real winner."

Source: Planet-F1

The name of the new Ferrari Formula 1 car

Maranello, 10th February - On the subject of the name of the new Ferrari Formula 1 car, the Maranello company wishes to point out that it has sent a letter of reply to Ford, underlining the fact that the F150 designation (used as the abbreviated version of the complete name, which is Ferrari F150th Italia) never has, nor ever will be used as the name of a commercially available product – indeed there will definitely not be a production run of single-seaters. In fact, it has always been the case in the history of Scuderia names, that they represent the nomenclature of a racing car project and are linked to a chronological order with a technical basis, or in exceptional cases, to special occasions. This year, the decision was taken to dedicate the car name to a particularly significant event, the 150th anniversary of the Unification of Italy, an event of such great importance that the Italian government has declared, for this year only, a national holiday.

For these reasons, Ferrari believes that its own contender in the forthcoming F1 championship cannot be confused with other types of commercially available vehicle of any sort whatsoever, nor can it give the impression that there is a link to another brand of road-going vehicle. Therefore it is very difficult to understand Ford’s viewpoint on the matter.
Despite this and to further prove it is acting in good faith and that it operates in a completely correct manner, Ferrari has decided to ensure that in all areas of operation, the abbreviated version will be replaced at all times with the full version, Ferrari F150 th Italia.

Source: Ferrari.com

Ford sues Ferrari over use of F150 name

Ford is suing Ferrari after the famous Italian formula one team decided to call its 2011 car F150.

Ferrari had said the single seater is named in tribute of the 150th anniversary of Italian unification.

But F150 is a model of Ford’s famous series of full-size pickup trucks. Ford Motor Co. owns the trademark to F150 and is suing Ferrari in Detroit Federal Court.

The Ford lawsuit filed on Wednesday, claiming damage to the brand and unspecified damages, also refers to Ferrari’s creation of the ferrari150.com website.

Reports said Ferrari’s F150 logo, which can be seen at the aforementioned website, is similar to the Ford F-150 logo.

$100,000 in damages are therefore being claimed pursuant to the Anticybersquatting Consumer Protection Act, relating to internet domains that confuse the public.

Ford said it is seeking to prevent Ferrari from using the trademark in the US.

“Ferrari has misappropriated the F-150 trademark … in order to capitalise on and profit from the substantial goodwill that Ford has developed,” Ford said in its lawsuit.

Maranello based Ferrari is yet to comment.

“This is an important trademark for us and we’ve spent many years and lots of advertising resources on establishing this name and getting the trademark,” Ford spokeswoman Anne Marie Gattari is quoted by the Detroit News. “It’s one we take very very seriously. It’s one of our flagship vehicles.”

Source: YallaF1

Is Ford calling Räikkönen?

15.12.2010

As it looks now, the next season in WRC will have three Finnish drivers: Jari-Matti Latvala, Mikko Hirvonen and Kimi Räikkönen.

According to information IS Urheilu has Kimi Räikkönen will continue his rally career but the car will probably change from Citroen into Ford. Funding for the project is coming especially from the States and Räikkönen might have the chance to even drive some Nascar-races in North America.

As far as we know Räikkönen is going to be his friend's Ken Block's team mate. A month ago Block celebrated the end of the season in Wales with Räikkönen and told already earlier that he wants to drive in the same team with Kimi.

- Kimi would be the team mate of my dreams. I really enjoy his company but what counts in the end is if we can put up a budget, Block said in the autumn.

Yet it looks very strongly that Räikkönen's and Red Bull's cooperation won't continue after this season. Red Bull wants to target their sponsor money more on F1.

Räikkönen's value as a mannequine for Red Bull decreased significantly after Sebastian Vettel became the new WDC for Red Bull.

Citroen told IS Urheilu yesterday that negotiations with Räikkönen haven't gone forward. Unless some surprising events happens Räikkönen's jump to Ford will be confirmed in the middle of January at the latest.

Courtesy: Nicole

Wilson : Block and Räikkönen are great for the WRC

Ford team principal Malcolm Wilson says the World Rally Championship can learn lessons from the way Ken Block’s Monster team promotes itself.

Wilson has been working with the American in his first season at the highest level and he says he’s been impressed with Block’s commitment on and off the stages.

“I definitely think there are lessons to be learned from Ken and the way he and Monster approach everything,” said Wilson. “Look at the promotion, it’s just incredible. In France, there were thousands of people in the service park and the ones we had standing in front of our service area were all shouting for Ken, it was amazing.

“How many hits has he had for his latest Gymkhana video? It’s around 15 million or something like that, that’s incredible. He’s not known as a rally driver, he’s a gymkhana driver – but look at the good it’s doing for the WRC.”

Wilson added that he could see similar value in what Block’s energy drink WRC rival Kimi Räikkönen was doing for the sport.

“Some people have said they can’t see the value in what Kimi is doing,” said Wilson. “Well, for me, he’s brought great value in the WRC. Having him in the sport has raised the profile, created a stir and a story this season. Okay, he’s still learning, but there’s a heck of a lot more to come from him – and he’s still Kimi Räikkönen.”

Source: MaxRally

SS1 Estadio Algarve 1: Hirvonen takes the early lead in Portugal

Mikko Hirvonen moved into an early lead of the 2010 Vodafone Rally de Portugal after setting the fastest time on Thursday evening’s Algarve Stadium Superspecial.

The Ford Focus RS WRC driver completed the 2km head-to-head test in 2min 9.3sec, winning his heat with Sebastien Loeb and completing the stage one-tenth of a second quicker than Munchi’s team driver Federico Villagra who was his closest rival.

Sweeping hairpin bends, tight and tricky corners and a table-top jump made the test a challenge for the 62 starters, as well as dazzling viewing for both the fans and TV viewers across the country who watched the action live on television.

Thousands crammed into the football stadium to watch the night time stage, and most were on their feet as Hirvonen crossed the line, a Portuguese flag trailing from his car.

"It’s a great way to start the rally!" said Hirvonen. "Okay, it’s only a short stage but it’s always really nice to win - and a big pleasure to beat Sebastien! Tomorrow is when the real action starts, though.”

The first section of the rally continues on Friday when drivers leave Faro from 0810hrs to tackle six gravel stages in the hills north of the town.

Stage Times:

Source: WRC

WRC New Zealand 2010 Final Stage

Source: YouTube - RallyMania

FANTASTIC, KIMI!

by Marcus Grönholm

Here we go again.

Let's catch Kimi Räikkönen first, he was definitely the biggest Finnish name in Turkey Rally.

Success in the WRC-serie doesn't come at once - not even if you would have won everything possible in the lower series. Not to talk about how difficult succeeding is for a driver who hasn't rallied before. Kimi's 5th position in Turkey was a really tough achievement, for real.

Okay, over five minutes to the lead but let's forget about the minutes. The most important was the position. Now Kimi has found the real deal, now he had the touch. Great.

5th position gave Kimi credability and selfconfidence which will take him further again. Turkey rally proved that he is on the right road. The journey to the top has began.

Kimi has improved in listening to the notes and he has also learned to know better his Citroen. That's why he has the guts to put the foot on the pedal more down.

In the future the most important thing for him is to have the calmness to learn. He has to have the energy to constantly battle so that he grows into succes in rally too. The time for winning, which he got used to in F1, comes later.

Apart from that nothing new and wondrous happened in Turkey. The rally was won by - surprise, surprise - Sebastien Loeb, has anyone ever heard of the man? Oh well, it looks like it's going to be this again from race to race. Citroen and Loeb leading while the others whine.

There hasn't been any real battle for victory. When it was time for it Loeb came in his own pace and made winning look ridiculously easy. Unbelievable.

Mikko Hirvonen came with his Ford in a pace that was okay but I'm sure he is still gutted over hitting a stone. Of course the battle hasn't been decided yet but in the next races Mikko's difference in points to Loeb shouldn't grow over 40. Otherwise the battle will calm down remarkably and then nobody has the energy to get excited about the races.

But it's good that Mikko is attacking by taking risks and that he went flat out for the victory. I myself am of this opinion because during my own career I found the optimal driving style through numerous drivings off the road. But that's how it is, Loeb is conquered only by taking risks, you won't win him otherwise. And because you get 25 points for each victory the importance of winning is big.

I'm sure Malcom Wilson from Ford wasn't satisfied when Jari-Matti Latvala rolled. Okay, same as with Mikko, these things happen sometimes when you drive on the limit. One has to remember that Jari-Matti has drove three even races before this.

Wilson must be gutted over Citroen being on top again when it comes to the manufacturer-battle. The French team has now four competitive cars and drivers, Ford has only two.

Ford has to show what they are made of in the next races. The current level isn't enough.

Source: Iltalehti.fi
Courtesy: Nicole

Rally Sweden day one: Manufacturer team reaction

BP Ford Abu Dhabi Team principal, Malcolm Wilson on...

Mikko Hirvonen's leading performance: "I'm very happy. Everybody likes to be leading from the start, but Mikko made some small changes to his set up on SS4 and from then on he's had good confidence. We were a little bit worried that he might have destroyed the tyres by being maybe a bit aggressive, but now we’re starting to see the benefit of his experience - he just kept on pushing to get as far ahead as he could."

Jari-Matti Latvala's contribution: "He's done a good job. On the second stage this afternoon we saw what he's really capable of, but I think he pushed a little too hard there and did some damage to the tyres. But when you see those sorts of times you see he's got the potential."

Citroen Total World Rally Team director, Olivier Quesnel on...

Sebastien Loeb's cautious approach to tyre wear: "This afternoon we thought we should take care of the tyres, and maybe Seb didn't push enough, but this is it, and Mikko was right to push."
Dani Sordo and Sebastien Ogier: "Dani is doing a very good rally, but I must mention Sebastien Ogier too. This is his first time in Sweden and only his second time on snow. What he's done here is amazing."

Kimi Raikkonen's learning curve: "Kimi is learning. He went off the road but as I've said before we have to give Kimi time to learn. We have to wait until the middle of the season. In the second half he should be okay, but this is his first WRC rally with us. Everybody is very fast and Sweden is very complicated. For me there is no problem. He just has to learn."

Source: WRC.com